Peter Burling shows new sailing direction - joins top French offshore team for Rolex Fastnet

The Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue is back at sea © Qaptur

Three times America's Cup winnning skipper Peter Burling will join the crew of the Ultim SVR-Lazartigue for the upcoming Rolex Fastnet Race.

The 32metre long ultra-distance trimaran was designed by MerConcept and VPLP Design and was relaunched last Thursday, after a major refit. On foils it is capable of sustained speeds in excess of 40kts in an offshore seastat.

The 105ft foiling trimaran is the current Rolex Fastnet Record holder set in 2023. The Rolex Fastnet will be the first race since the refit. This year's program culminates with the trans-atlantic race, the Transat Café L'Or in October.

Burling is one of two top-tier America's Cup sailors to join skipper Tom Laperche, along with Franck Cammas, co-skipper and performance director, of France's America's Cup program, and a former Volvo Ocean Race winner

Peter Burling's track record speaks for itself. Olympic champion in the 49er class at the Rio Games (2016), nine-time 49er world champion, and triple winner of the America's Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand (2017, 2021, 2024).

This move is another change in his sailing direction since he opted not to re-sign for a fouth America's Cup campaign with the five-time champion, Emirates Team New Zealand.

"François (Gabart) encouraged me to reach out to the Anglo-Saxon sailing scene, where some of the best in the business are pushing the limits of these flying boats," says Tom. "We had a shortlist of sailors we were keen to sail with. The New Zealanders have long been leaders in this area. Peter is an exceptional sailor — Olympic medals, America's Cups... and from our first conversations, he was totally on board. His flight expertise is top-level, he's an outstanding inshore racer, and I know he'll bring a lot to the team."

"When they contacted me, it was an easy decision to say yes to the Rolex Fastnet Race," said Burling in a written statement. "I've always loved offshore racing — that's what led me to The Ocean Race. The Ultim class is the pinnacle of high-performance offshore sailing. These boats are incredibly innovative and versatile. I'm really excited to get back offshore and to learn more about how this class is evolving.

"Joining a team with such deep experience on these boats is a fantastic opportunity. I've followed François Gabart's journey and everything the team has achieved, and seeing Tom take over the project is great. He's an exceptional sailor. For me, this is a chance to push myself, learn, and work with an outstanding crew. I can't wait to get started."

Burling will dovetail the Rolex Fastnet Race start, on July 26, with competing in the SailGP Portsmouth on July 19 and 20.

Sail-World's New Zealand editor will be in Portsmouth and Cowes to provide readers with exclusive coverage of both events, along with the Admirals' Cup being sailed out of Cowes, Isle of Wight.